Change and Third-Party Risk Manager: Business Bank at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The Senior Manager Risk: Change and Third Party Risk Management is a crucial value defender role reporting to the Head of Governance, Risk Enablement and Reporting. The role is accountable for establishing and sustaining governance, risk management practices for the Change and Third-Party Risks types across the Business Banking cluster.
• The role encompasses management and roll out of Change and Third-Party risk policies and standards and managing the risk profiles. This involves assessing these risk types against set appetite.   
• A key pillar of the role is to embed a culture of risk awareness and ownership by the areas supported to aid the banks management of risk in these 2 key risk areas. The ability to leverage digital tools and technology to automate processes and generate commercial value will be paramount.
• With a focus on efficiency driven by automation, digitization, and cost optimization, you will consistently create demonstrated value for our clients.

Job Description

• To prepare an operational plan from the strategy and coordinate delivery plans for first line of risk defense in Business Banking, working with business stakeholders and second line partners. 
• Perform Risk Assessments for Change and Third-Party Risk monthly.
• Roll out Change and Third Party Risk Policy and Standards requirements and ensure gap analyses are done when new policies and standards are published.
• Conduct CPA’s/RCA’s for the risk types and ensure all risk events logged against risk types are valid accurate and complete.
• Ensure Key Risk Indicator are set, rolled out and monitored with exceptions rolled out.
• Coordinate audit information that needs to be submitted when Risk function is being audited and all necessary risk administration activities required to execute on first line risk mandate.
• To be the SME and though leader on the Change and Third Party risk types in BB and leverage on the Group experts and second line of defence colleagues.

KEY FOCUS AREAS

Governance and Risk Policy and Standard Translation

• Localize and operationalize the Group Policies and Standards on Change Risk and Third-Party Risk Management.
• Ensure monthly reporting and assessment in all relevant risk forums.

Integrated Risk Reporting and Assurance

• Deliver timely, accurate, and insightful risk reporting to cluster and Group-level forums.
• Develop dashboards, thematic risk reports, and early warning indicators to support data-driven decision-making.
• Monitor and ensure closure of audit and regulatory findings, addressing control gaps and enhancing assurance.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy Execution

• Translate strategic objectives into operational plans and execution roadmaps for the business area.
• Align functional priorities with business unit goals, setting clear short- and medium-term milestones.
• Support strategic initiatives through effective partnerships and structured programme delivery.
• Monitor execution progress and adjust plans to ensure alignment with business outcomes.

Customer Primacy

• Ensure governance and resilience practices support uninterrupted delivery of critical customer services.
• Embed customer-centric risk management approaches that protect client trust and experience during disruptions
• Use customer insights to inform operational plans and prioritise improvements.

Sustainable Growth

• Strengthen the cluster’s ability to withstand and recover from operational shocks, enabling consistent performance.
• Contribute to growth planning aligned with segment and enterprise priorities.
• Support execution of growth strategies and operational initiatives.
• Track performance against growth targets and resolve delivery barriers.

Client-Driven Innovation and Change

• Promote innovative approaches to resilience and governance that respond to evolving client needs.
• Enable agile governance structures that support transformation and change initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for innovation in products, services, or operations.

Digital Adoption

• Leverage digital tools and platforms to enhance risk reporting, resilience dashboards, and early warning systems.
• Promote automation and data-driven insights in governance and BCM processes.

Good Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Oversee governance forums and secretariat services to ensure regulatory alignment and ethical conduct.
• Monitor and close audit and regulatory findings, ensuring robust control environments.
• Act as governance advisor to the COO and Exco, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment
• Implement governance and compliance frameworks in team routines.
• Promote risk awareness and respond to regulatory changes.
• Support audit readiness and ensure compliance adherence.
• Manage risk profile and ensure resolution feedback to stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, auditors, and Group functions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the COO and Business Banking Exco on governance, risk, and resilience matters.
• Champion a network of Change and Third Party Risk.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education/Qualification:

• Post Graduate Degree: Honours Degree, Post Graduate Diploma and Professional Qualifications [NQF8]

Work Experience:

• 6 – 10 years experience in a specific capability of importance to the bank,
• Experience must include developing customer-centric solutions or corporate practice development while managing stakeholders across business and/or functional areas.
• Exposure to digital transformation and data-driven decision-making is preferred.
• Track performance against growth targets and resolve delivery barriers.

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership Competencies:
• Strategic Thinking
• Communication
• Influence
• Creativity and Innovation
• Delivering Results
• Adaptability
• Collaboration

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong commercialization and monetization skills with an affinity for finance
• Digital affinity and dexterity that leverages technology to automate and create commercial value
• Mindset of efficiency driven by automation, digitization and cost optimization, to create client value)
• Deep understanding of enterprise risk management, governance frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
• Expertise in business continuity planning, crisis management, and operational resilience.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate frameworks into actionable business practices.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills.
• Skilled in risk reporting, data analysis, and development of dashboards and early warning systems.

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

End Date: November 4, 2025